Chapter 107: I am, of course, here to represent justice

As dawn broke, Alexander and Lanxi returned to the camp. Tiansi didn’t interrogate Lanxi about why she had returned with Alexander or where she had been the previous night.

However,Both Tiansi and Jiesi, who stood beside her, had their gazes fixed on the golden greatsword strapped to Alexander’s back.

"What a magnificent sword. Could it be the legendary Excalibur?" Their eyes widened in disbelief and curiosity. But why would such a sword appear on this man? Could his identity be...?

"Why are you staring at me?" Alexander abruptly turned around, startling the monk and the old Taoist priest standing nearby.

Swallowing hard, Tiansi hesitantly inquired, "The sword on your back, is it the legendary sacred blade, Excalibur?"

All eyes in the vicinity immediately shifted to Alexander, holding their breath in anticipation. Excalibur was said to be an ancient divine artifact, the legendary weapon of King Arthur.

Alexander fell silent for a moment before sighing, "To be honest, I’m not entirely sure myself. The sword is still not in its perfected form."

Lanxi’s voice quivered with admiration as she spoke, "Wow, how did you acquire such an incredible sword?"

With a bemused expression, Alexander looked at Lanxi. She was such a delightful woman.

If it weren’t for the presence of others, Alexander would have candidly told her, "Actually, this sword was a reward from the system after becoming intimately involved with her."

Even though Alexander didn’t confirm it, the people still looked at him with eyes filled with disbelief.

Although Alexander is not King Arthur, the fact that he possesses Excalibur signifies that he has received Arthur’s endorsement! When the people contemplated this, they couldn’t help but marvel.

Even though his name is Alexander, which is entirely different from Arthur, that doesn’t matter. What’s crucial is that Excalibur, held in Alexander’s hands, serves as the best proof of his identity.

The crowd hastily stood up, gazing at Alexander with eyes filled with reverence, saying, "Whatever happened before was a misunderstanding; we truly apologize for the inconvenience caused."

Alexander quickly responded, "You don’t have to be so humble; we are allies, after all."

...

After this ones leave,Alexander sat on a rock, channeling the elemental power within him.

He was astonished to feel that his internal elemental force was surging wildly, giving faint signs of an impending breakthrough. Alexander couldn’t help but feel elated.

While dual-cultivating with Lanxi yesterday, Alexander felt a certain equilibrium between the yin-yang and elemental forces within him, giving him signs of an impending breakthrough. Once the breakthrough occurred, Alexander’s talents would be elevated, consequently reinforcing his abilities to an even greater extent.

Almost simultaneously, a system notification resounded in Alexander’s ear.

Ding! The system has detected that your body’s development level has reached 99%. You are about to enter the breakthrough phase, and upon completion, your talent level will be elevated to Rank A.

Warning: Once the breakthrough begins, the host will face the descent of a heavenly tribulation. Due to the host’s mastery of elemental forces, the heavenly tribulation will be extraordinarily fierce.

Ding! Congratulations, host, for meeting the task conditions. Accepting the task: Talent Breakthrough.

Task Description: Successfully survive through 81 heavenly tribulations, ensuring you remain alive throughout!

Task Reward: Skill: Elemental Storm.

Feeling elated, Alexander thought, "I never expected my body’s development level to already be at 99%. Does that mean I can break through at any time?"

The system responded, "Host, it’s not that simple. A talent level breakthrough is extremely perilous. For ordinary Psychics, they face lightning tribulations, but what you will face is a heavenly tribulation—the magnitudes are entirely different."

Lifting his head towards the sky, Alexander said, "It doesn’t matter. No matter what sort of trial awaits, I will not cower. I will succeed!"

Without giving it another thought, Alexander took a pill from his ring, tossing it into his mouth and chewing it as if it were candy.

"If I keep snacking on pills like this, the heavenly tribulation should arrive soon enough!"

....

Time unfurled its tapestry, and the sun ascended from the eastern horizon.

At that moment, on the open ground of the military base, Robert’s eyes snapped open, and he exclaimed with bated breath, "Alexander! I’ve located the High Priest!"

At this utterance, Alexander, too, instantly opened his eyes, querying, "Where?"

Robert, his tone charged with excitement, replied, "Due south, almost fifty kilometers from here!"

Furrowing his brows, Alexander touched his chin and pondered, "Fifty kilometers, you say? That’s quite close. Robert, didn’t you claim that the closer the distance, the less time it should take? Why did it take so long just for fifty kilometers?"

Caught off guard by Alexander’s point, Robert frowned, "Yes, by all accounts, a distance of fifty kilometers should have taken us less than 10 minutes, unless some sort of interference took place..."

Alexander hoisted his sacred sword and said, "Since we’ve located the High Priest, let’s go see what he’s encountered. All will be clear once we lay eyes on the situation."

He then turned to the gathered crowd and asked, "What about the rest of you? Will you accompany us, or will you stay here?"

Half an hour later, Alexander, along with Robert, Laura, and a handful of monks and Daoists, ventured into the forest. Those who accompanied him this time were individuals of considerable strength, each with talents above Class B and levels ranging between 70-80.

Some people remained at the military base to heal their injuries, while others opted to leave. Louis and the triplet sisters did not join; it seemed they had important tasks yet to be completed.

They traversed the dense woods, crossed a trickling creek, and then, in the next instant, the trees surrounding them began to thin out.

But what came next left everyone in utter astonishment.

Amidst a clearing in the forest stood an immense magical array, its inscriptions slowly swirling in the air like spirals of ethereal mist.

Within the confines of the array, the High Priest and several elderly figures with white hair sat cross-legged at the center, their eyes shut and teeth gritted, their faces etched with fatigue.

Guarding the periphery of the array, a dozen disciples from the Order of the Wandering Oracles stood watch, icy smiles gracing their faces.

Aghast, Robert blurted out, "This is bad! The High Priest is trapped!"

Tianheng’s gaze fell upon the elders sitting next to the High Priest, and his pupils dilated in shock. "Is that my master? And elders from the Shaolin Temple? Damn, they’re all here!"

Alexander extended his hand, halting the agitated Robert. "This is a trap. Let’s not act recklessly."

"But they’re about to reach their limit!" Robert protested.

"What use is urgency?" Alexander retorted. "You’d be marching to your death if even your master can’t break this array."

"But..." Robert started, only for Alexander to ignore him.

Turning his thoughts inward, Alexander asked, "System, do you recognize this array?"

As Alexander pondered his options, the system’s voice chimed in his ear once more.

[Ding! Analysis complete. This array is a simplified version of the Divine Binding Array. Anyone trapped within will suffer both physical and mental restraints. If they can’t resist, their minds will be broken, and they’ll become manipulated puppets!]

[Ding! Host’s probability of resisting the array’s suppression: 60%] 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Alexander blinked, startled. "Only 60%? I’ve always considered myself to be of resolute character; this must be a mistake."

The system responded: "The individual who set up this array is far more powerful than the host. A 60% resistance probability is actually quite high."

Alexander stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Is there any way to counteract this?"

[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have received system rewards: Sage Pills x2. These pills can temporarily heighten your mental fortitude, making you unfeeling and unattached. Warning: Do not overuse!]

With a soft sound, a red pill appeared in Alexander’s hand, clenched tightly in anticipation. Good, with the system’s support, there was no question of failure this time.

Just then, their eyes were drawn to the other side of the magical array. A disciple, adorned in the robes of the Order of the Wandering Oracles, swaggered up to the edge of the array.

A disdainful smirk marred his features as he addressed the High Priest and the elders: "Esteemed seniors, you’ve been holding up here for a day. Why not ease your pain and work for the Order of the Wandering Oracles? It would make your suffering a lot less."

The High Priest’s eyes flickered open, a Herculean effort in his weakened state. "You despicable creatures! Release me, and let your elder come forth. I’ll show you just how I’ll end his life!"

The disciple erupted in a mocking laughter. "You think you’re worthy to meet our elder? Dream on!"

In the next moment, the disciple reached out, his hand fully covering the inscriptions of the array as he sneered, "Elder Evil Ghost enjoys watching you all squirm. Once you become our puppets, you will soon serve as ingredients in our Elder’s elixirs. Your contributions will be acknowledged when he finally concocts the Elixir of Immortality!"

As he spoke, the array suddenly blazed with blinding light.

A guttural growl ripped from the High Priest’s throat, his face twisted in unparalleled agony.

Seeing the High Priest in this state, Robert could no longer restrain himself. "You despicable beings, I will end you!" he bellowed.

In a blink, an infuriated Robert charged forward, longsword in hand, straight at the dozen or so disciples of the Order of the Wandering Oracles.

Alexander didn’t have time to stop him, muttering, "Robert, you foolish oaf! You’re driving me mad!"

Witnessing Robert’s headlong rush, Tiansi, Jiesi, and the others realized their cover was blown. Weapons in hand, they charged right behind him.

"Scoundrels of the Order of the Wandering Oracles, don’t you dare run!"

"Release our people!"

Before Alexander could intervene, his companions had already stormed into action. Sighing, he shook his head and said, "Such impulsive fools. Allying with you lot is bound to bring about losses sooner or later."

Behind him, Lanxi and Laura questioned, "Dear, what should we do now?"

"Let’s not be hasty. We’ll observe the situation first," Alexander advised.

Yet, as Robert and his team lunged forth, events unfolded just as Alexander had anticipated—a sudden, ominous twist.

The disciples of the Order of the Wandering Oracles seemed unfazed by the assault. Instead, smiles, cold and malevolent, crept onto their faces.

"Excellent! Elder Evil Ghost is indeed far-sighted; he knew you’d come. Now that you’re here, don’t even think about leaving!"

In that fleeting moment, within the arcane array, the eyes of the few white-haired elders beside the High Priest flew open.

Their eyes were unfocused, their expressions vacant. And in a heartbeat, they lunged out of the formation, inexplicably attacking Robert and the others.

Tiansi was taken aback, blocking an attack from one of the elders before retreating in alarm, "Senior Brother, what has come over you? Why would you attack me?"

On another flank, Jiesi also found himself under attack from one of his own. Struck squarely in the chest, Jiesi coughed up a mouthful of blood and staggered backward.

"Om mani padme hum," Jiesi gasped, locking eyes with the elder monk who had wounded him. "Junior Brother, have you fallen under the enemy’s bewitchment? Why have you attacked me?"

The entire battlefield was plunged into chaos in an instant.

The disciple from the Order of the Wandering Oracles sneered, "We’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Your elders have long been under our control. Today, you are all doomed."

Murderous intent erupted from his eyes. "Kill them! Spare no one!"

Within the forest, Alexander rose to his feet, letting out a resigned sigh. "Ah, your are should’ve listened to me. It’s your own fault."

Lanxi, frantic, asked, "My love, what should we do now? I’m so scared!"

Alexander gently patted her head and pointed in the direction they had come from, smiling, "If you’re scared, go back to the military base and wait for me there."

Lanxi looked at Alexander with concern, "What about you?"

"As for me..." A sly smile crept across Alexander’s lips. He popped a Sage Pill into his mouth and stood, "I am, of course, here to represent justice."

In that instant, Alexander slowly opened his eyes, which had become eerily indifferent. The moment he swallowed the Sage Pill, a chilling aura of murderous intent enveloped him, billowing his clothes in the whistling wind.

Lanxi was stunned, her eyes almost popping out of her head. She could feel it—Alexander had changed. It was as if he’d become an entirely different person.

Sharp, swathed in killing intent!